Super Joystiq Podcast 013: Grand Theft Auto 5, Zynga in trouble, New Super Mario Bros. 2

by Jonathan Downin on Aug 3rd 2012 4:30PM

This week's Super Joystiq Podcast welcomes you to Jurassic Park.

Xav returns alongside Richard and JC to discuss the latest games on their radar including New Super Mario Bros. 2, Jurassic Park Builder, and Great Big War Game. Segment One also includes a new "Talk Back" feature, where editors discuss a bevy of questions pulled from the comments in and around the video game industry, like: "What is one franchise you couldn't live without and one you could do without?"

In news, Alexander, Jordan, Jessica, and Mike Schramm discuss Grand Theft Auto 5's new viral campaign and its hidden status, Army of Two's latest entry, and a whole lot about Zynga's latest issues.

Be sure to check after the break to see how you can snag yourself on of six Steam codes for Awesomenauts!

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A stream of the show and details about each segment is available after the break.

Listen to the MP3

Show Breakdown

• 00:00:00 - 00:01:05 // Pre-Show Jabber and Intro Music
• 00:01:06 - 00:27:43 // Intro, WRUP/Previews: Xav, JC and Richard
• 00:27:44 - 01:01:44 // Talk Back (Leave a comment with your answers!)
• 01:01:45 - 01:32:30 // News: Alexander, Mike Schramm, Jess, Jordan
• 01:32:31 - 01:34:25 // Outro, giveaway winners, and a new giveaway!

Credits
Theme Music: Satsuma Audio and Whitaker Blackall - "A Basstastic Undertaking"
Segment Bumpers: Jordan Mallory

Social Media

• Podcast Twitter: @JoystiqPodcast - Use the hashtag #QJoystiq
• Website Twitter: @Joystiq
• Facebook: Joystiq Facebook Page
• Voice Mail: 1-877-JOYSTIQ (1-877-569-7847)

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Talk Back Questions (Tell us your answers in the comments!)

• Do you feel inclined to buy a single series on the same platform?
• What difficulty level do you play your games on?
• What is one franchise you couldn't live without and one you could stand to lose?
• Where the hell is DOOM 4?

Breaking News and Features

• Grand Theft Auto 5 marketing kicks off with viral 'Epsilon Program' site
• Take-Two investor call theme: Where's Grand Theft Auto 5?
• Zynga hit with insider trading lawsuit as execs cash out before crash
• Zynga COO Schappert no longer in charge of games
• Valve's updated Steam Subscriber Agreement bars class action lawsuits
• Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel coming to PS3 and Xbox in March [update: trailer]

Podcast Production
Xav de Matos and Jonathan Downin

Winners of Wreckateer code Giveaway
The following commenter on last week's podcast has won a code for Wreckateer on XBLA. Send an email to podcast ATT joystiq DAWT com so we can verify your information and, boom, free Wreckateer.

Joyswag: Awesomenauts code
To enter this week's giveaway:

• Listen to the podcast. Leave a comment on this post telling us what you think about the Super Joystiq Podcast. We want your suggestions, questions, and comments!
• You must be 17 years or older and a resident of the United States or Canada (excluding Puerto Rico and Quebec).
• Only one entry per person.
• This entry period ends at 12:00PM ET, Friday, August 10, 2012.
• At that time, we'll randomly select six (6) winners to receive one (1) Awesomenauts Steam code.
• For a list of complete rules, click here.

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What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition.

For more info on our policy, click here.

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K’NEX releasing Mario Kart Wii sets, holding event in New York

Fan of Mario Kart Wii? Enjoy building with K’NEX? If you answered yes to both of the previous questions, here’s some news that should excite you in only a way pixels and plastic blocks can. K’NEX has announced their collaboration with Nintendo in bringing fans Mario Kart Wii K’NEX sets.

These sets will feature Mario, Wario, Luigi, Bowser, Yoshi and more of your favorite Nintendo characters, as well as their matching go-karts. The toys are designed for children 6+, but if you are a big Mario Kart fan, they could make a unique collectible as well.

The two companies are holding an event in New York at the Nintendo Store to celebrate the release of the toys. Michael Araten, president and CEO of K’NEX spoke about the event and the release.

“We are excited to partner with Nintendo World Store to unveil the newest K’NEX Mario Kart Wii Building Sets to our fans,” said Araten. “What the success of this line has shown us is that not only are we enabling kids to build a world they love, but by offering them interchangeable track and expansions sets it becomes their world—a world in which using their imagination is key, where they can interact with their favorite characters and bring the video game to life in a whole new way!”

Sound interesting? You can find pictures and information on the whole series of Mario Kart K’NEX toys at http://www.knex.com/mariokartwii/.

View the original article here

'The Other Brothers' pays homage to Mario Bros., needs to be paid for

by Jessica Conditt on Aug 6th 2012 10:45PM

Only you can decide what to do with your own hard-earned income, and in today's rapid digital society we know your purse strings are being pulled in many different directions at any given time. Kickstarter can pinch your pennies all on its own, so it's important to be particular – and particularly, The Other Brothers looks like it could be a worthwhile, wonderful investment.

The Other Brothers is an homage to Mario Bros. and the retro platformers of yore, created by a team of industry veterans such as 3D artist Thomas Pasieka and Björn Hurri, lead artist at Opus Artz who has worked on Dead Space 2, BioShock Infinite, the Total War franchise and other mainstream IPs. The Other Brothers is being developed on Unity and it looks to have a gorgeous grasp of the cheek and charm of old-school platformers.

The Other Brothers needs to raise $50,000 to finish the game and have it out this fall, and it has already raised more than $10,000, with 22 days to go. The developers would like to see it on PC, Mac and mobile first, with options for Linux, Ouya and more if the money comes through. Check out the game's full description and reward tiers here.

View the original article here